The Harvard Law School Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program (HIRC Program) is now accepting applications for its 2008 Fellowship in Clinical Teaching and Advocacy. The Fellowship allows an early- to mid-career attorney or law graduate to supervise clinical students and work on a variety of projects starting in the summer/early fall of 2008.  The position is for a renewable two-year term with opportunities for advancement.  Graduates of all U.S. law schools and attorneys admitted to the bar of a U.S. jurisdiction are invited to apply.

The 2008 Fellowship is an outstanding opportunity to launch or further develop a career in clinical legal education and/or public interest immigration law. The HIRC Program enables the Fellow to be a part of a world-renown scholarly and legal services community. The 2008 Fellow will work closely with experienced clinicians, attorneys and academics. The Fellow will also enjoy opportunities for external training and professional development in the areas immigration law and clinical legal education.

About the Program

The HIRC Program supervises law students in the direct representation of noncitizens applying for U.S. asylum and related relief. The Program also provides representation in cases involving protection of domestic violence and crime survivors and avoidance of forced removal in immigration proceedings. The HIRC Program is active in appellate and policy advocacy on local, national, and international levels. In particular, the internationally recognized Women Refugees Project conducts groundbreaking advocacy of women’s international human rights and refugee claims.

Fellow’s Responsibilities

The Fellow’s responsibilities will include supervising student casework, case selection and general management, developing teaching, training and research materials, assisting with clinical and classroom instruction and conducting exploratory research into new case types and clinical methods. The Fellow may set aside time to research and write articles for scholarly and clinical journals and/or immigration-related publications.  The HIRC Fellow will be based at the main Harvard Law School campus and will collaborate with other programs in Harvard’s vibrant clinical community with an eye toward establishing joint projects in which students can take part.  The Fellow will also work with experienced legal-aid attorneys at Greater Boston Legal Services, who partner with Harvard in managing clinical work and supervising students.

Qualifications

Candidates should be passionate about clinical legal education and have strong academic credentials, superior writing and organizational skills, and a demonstrated commitment to immigration and asylum lawyering.  Candidates with at least one year of full-time (or its equivalent) asylum or immigration-related legal experience are strongly preferred.  Prior involvement in clinical legal education and/or the supervision of students or junior attorneys is highly desirable.  Outstanding interpersonal and team-building skills are required.  Ability to work sensitively with a diverse population of clients, students and staff is essential, and multi-lingual and/or multi-cultural candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Compensation

The Fellow’s position includes full Harvard benefits and a salary commensurate with that of the major public interest fellowship programs, with enhancements based on relevant post-law school experience.

To Apply

Applications for the 2008 Fellowship will be accepted through January 15, 2008. To apply, please send the following to jeanhan@law.harvard.edu with the subject “2008 Clinical Fellowship Application”:

·         Résumé;

·         A statement of interest (approximately 750 words) that addresses why you are an outstanding candidate for a clinical teaching and advocacy position, your relevant prior experience, and any other information you believe will help the hiring committee evaluate your candidacy;

·         A writing sample (approximately 10 pages, preferably in a subject area relevant to the position);

·         List of three references (please include phone and e-mail contacts);

·         Law school transcript (an informal copy or list of all grades and coursework is acceptable; applicants selected for final round interviews will be asked to provide a sealed transcript sent from their registrar’s office).

Harvard Law School is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.